A natural compound found in blueberries and grapes may assist muscle cells in metabolizing stored fat, according to new research.
The study, published in the journal Food Bioscience, focused on pterostilbene, a polyphenol also found in other berries. Researchers observed that pterostilbene reduced fat accumulation in cultured mouse skeletal muscle tissue, a finding that could offer insights into managing metabolic health.
Excess fat within muscle cells can impair the body's ability to process glucose and fatty acids, potentially contributing to insulin resistance, a condition linked to type 2 diabetes and other metabolic issues. The research indicated that pterostilbene works by promoting the breakdown of accumulated fat within the cells. Previous studies have linked pterostilbene to metabolic benefits, but its specific impact on skeletal muscle was less understood.
In the experiments, the team identified pterostilbene as a compound that significantly reduced fat buildup without hindering muscle growth. The study suggests the compound may help preserve PPAR-delta, a protein crucial for regulating how cells handle fat.
While these laboratory findings provide a scientific basis for exploring functional foods and nutritional supplements, experts caution that further investigation is necessary. Johannah Katz, a registered dietitian, noted that human metabolism involves many complex factors, including digestion, absorption, and circulation, which differ from cell cultures.
"In people, pterostilbene has to be digested, absorbed, metabolized, circulated and actually reach muscle tissue at an effective dose," Katz explained. "We also can't assume mouse muscle cells will respond exactly like human muscle."
She added that the study's findings on reduced fat accumulation in cells do not directly equate to fat loss in humans from consuming blueberries or pterostilbene supplements. "Blueberries and grapes are nutritious foods for many reasons, but this study alone doesn't show that eating more of them will reduce fat buildup in human muscle," Katz stated.
Future studies involving human and animal trials are planned to determine if the effects observed in lab-grown cells translate to living organisms.